Texas teen turns tables on law-breaking lawman

by Jay Dillon

A Texas police officer received something he typically hands out: a parking ticket. The teen who issued the citation says the officer was breaking the law.

Baytown Police officer Tommy King patrols the apartment complex where he received the citation. Last week, he parked his patrol unit next to the leasing office and ran inside. But he returned to a surprising find.

14-year-old Annie James saw where the car was parked and didn't like it. So she did what cops typically do: gave him a ticket.

"He was parked on the side of the building. It said it was a fire lane all the way around," she said.

He was also parked on the curb and didn't pull head-in to the spot, something that is clearly posted all over the property.

"I came to get my car and I saw a piece of paper on my windshield," officer King said. "I took it off, read it and started laughing immediately."

Annie told the officer he had to pay a $10 fine to the manager. That was something King was just fine with doing.

"I thought it was neat that she made it for $10 but she didn't make it to herself," King said.

But he didn't just pay the manager, he also gave the 14-year-old a $40 gift card to Toys 'R' Us. She said she's excited about going because she's never been to a Toys 'R' Us before.

The 14-year-old and the officer have more than enforcing the law in common: her and her family just moved to Texas from Alabama, the same state where Officer King is from.

"Turns out we're both from Alabama and we ended up in Texas. Now I have a new friend," King said. "I think the lesson is not to be afraid of law enforcement, we're here to help."